2009-05-05 Minutes

Edit 0 11 …

Roosevelt Middle School

International Baccalaureate Magnet
Site Governance Team
May 5, 2009

Present:
Emma Ehrlich, Stacy North, Bobbe Abts, Fran Donovan, Sandra Boe, Nelson Cortes, Arlene Spaniol, Carmen Garcia, Allison Brown, Cheryl Wlodarski, Jennifer Jay, Beverly Rambicure, Jo-Ellen Archer, Dustin Hawkins, Lucinda Bernardino, Rafael Ocampo, Hilary Hager, Rebecca Jimenez, Shakerra Davis, Dina Weiss, Marsha Dudley, Francisco Santos.

Not In Attendance:
Scott Lockwood, Debbie Christensen, ASB student, Daniza Oveido, Christina Schaefer, Mary Diaz.

The meeting was called to order @ 2:00pm
Stacy North stated ASB's student's last name needed to be added to last month's minutes. (ASB rep: Jacquie Vitzen)
Motion to approve 3/24 minutes Carmen Garcia. Motion approved by Bobbe Abts.

A) 8TH GRADE PROMOTION
  • Confirm that plans are a “go”. Harbor cruise is confirmed Tuesday, June 9, 2009.

B) ATL/IB Portfolio for next year – Equal accountability and expectations for all classes
  • ATL to be contained in all classes. Each subject area will do 2 reflections per year. Portfolio “housing” decision to be made over the summer.

C) HONORING RETIREES AT JUNE 2ND STAFF MEETING
  • Social Committee will create a retirement video.
  • SGT, through Allison Brown, will look into “Star” plaques/statuettes.
  • 3 teachers are retiring at this point. (Some may retire based on SDEA/SDCUSD agreement).
  • Retirement celebration to be on-site, RMS, to be held at the last staff meeting, 6/2/09.

D) COMMENTS ON REPORT CARDS
  • Bobbe Abts posed question re: comments on report cards—district comments go from A-T, U-X are comments for school-site only. *A-O cannot be changed!
  • Wondering if comments can be updated, i.e, a sub-committee be formed to review the existing comments. Jo-Ellen Archer noted that there are no comments if student are at home due to illness, suspension, etc. Beverly Rambicure, Jennifer Jay and Bobbe Abts volunteered to be on the committee to meet with Jo-Ellen Archer.
  • Suggestion made by Stacy North that a designation be made for special ed students in co-taught classes have a “differentiated” comment listing.

E) 2009-2010 TECHNOLOGY PLAN
  • Arlene Spaniol opened with a review of next year’s technology needs. Some reading programs are currently being piloted. Bobbe Abts discussed the requirements of some of the reading programs, i.e, time constraints-2x/weekly, etc., scheduling.
  • Arlene presented a summary from Thomas Gates regarding technology equipment; many are out of date and will not be repaired by SDCUSD. She suggested that a small number of computers (5), printers, etc. be purchased annually- to always be included in the school budget. Suggestion was made to track students via seating chart with regard to computer upkeep, maintenance, and damage.
  • Arlene posed scheduling computer lab issues equitably; i.e., use Alpha Smarts for wordprocessing only, freeing up lab for research, etc.
  • Printers are breaking down and need to be replaced—some equipment is owned by 6-6, some by RMS, and some by Special Ed; so there is a need to determine/define a budget and need regarding computer upgrades/maintenance. Dina Weiss, from GEAR-UP, said the program may be able to supplement RMS computer needs with a goal of building sustainability.
  • Discussion of SDCUSD future goal of 1-1 (computer/student).
  • Carmen Garcia suggested a sub-committee be formed to continue this: Shakeera Davis, Arlene Spaniol, Cheryl Wlodarski to meet with Thomas Gates and Mr. Hernandez with some input from Ken Marushige.

F) LOOPING IN SCIENCE – Clarifying questions…Are there plans for looping other disciplines?
  • Carmen Garcia opened discussion of looping students, year to year, beginning with Science; she and Cheryl Wlodarski reported that some of the science teachers were not in favor of this idea at this time because of the vast differences between physical and life science labs. Cheryl continued by suggesting the science teachers keep the current program in place for at least one more year (as teachers are already enrolled in professional development specific to their curriculum) and reconsider looping after that. Data shows 70% of the current 8th graders are failing. Marsha mentioned the success of this program at a previous middle school site – looped with English and Science. Cheryl suggested collaboration between grade levels and peer mentors be put in place for SY ’09-10.
  • Carmen concluded with her belief in the success of the looping model.

G) SECOND LANGUAGE IMMERSION STATUS
  • Emma Ehrlich and Jennifer Jay asked what the model for SY ’09-10 will be.
  • Carmen Garcia clarified that SDCUSD is suggesting a dual-language immersion model: supplementing what we currently offer i.e, offer another foreign language. An example was given—English, Math in English; History and Spanish Literature in Spanish---the model of a “school within a school” was presented.
  • Nelson Cortes asked how the 2d Language model meshes with the Newcomer ELD and GATE models—Marsha Dudley clarified SDCUSD’s position: 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 which provides role model support, teacher support, and practicum.
  • Jennifer Jay asked that individual needs of ELD students be addressed with regard to GATE enrollment. Nelson concluded with a suggestion that teachers be included in the design of specific classroom enrollment because of their firsthand knowledge of specific student needs.
  • Sandra Boe asked about co-taught classes and the failure of special ed students enrolled in these classes; how to support and improve their grades. Suggestion made that an additional learning center support class be added to support students so they can be successful in the general ed classes.
  • Dina Weiss offered GEAR-UP services to add additional on-site support with tutors to aid in work completion during the school day.
  • Marsha Dudley offered that a sped teacher will be assigned to a team so they have same prep period as their co-teacher partner.
  • Bobbe Abts offered that homework must be purposeful, short, and review. The committee agreed that homework cannot be 50% of their grade. Jennifer Jay and Emma Ehrlich moved to parking lot the homework conversation and present it to the entire staff.
  • Marsha suggested the purchase of book by Carol Tomlinson—Differentiating Instruction—order copies for co-teachers


Parking Lot
Homework—staff conversation; school-wide homework policy

Roundtable
  1. Allison Brown—IB Festival agenda/location distributed—she asked for teams to update and return to her mailbox.
  2. Shakeera Davis—summer plans for math camp (GEAR-UP), PK Parent institute is planned.
  3. Carmen Garcia—PTO has invited facilities folks to discuss Prop S and RMS master plan, to include building maintenance upgrades, grass field, gym, multi-purpose room. Meeting is on 5/13 at 5:30 in Library.
  4. Arlene Spaniol—Textbook turn in; new procedure emailed to staff w/schedule.
  5. Beverly Rambicure—PE track unit, track meet upcoming on-site and all-school (5/14), Olympics (5/18). PE staff very happy about daily PE w/next year’s schedule; make a plan w/GEAR-UP to support students.
  6. Bobbe Abts—Olympics for 9 days (5/18-Opening Ceremony), Sex Ed/Life Skills unit begins 6/1. Museum of Man exhibits great for CST Test Prep review; i.e., Egypt.
  7. Lucinda Bernardino—piloting Achieve 3000 and Sex Ed/Life Skills unit.
  8. Emma Ehrlich—ILT meeting 5/14; delayed due to CST testing.
  9. Jennifer Jay—East Coast trip 5/11 w/chaperones: J.Jay, W.Harvey, K.Marushige. 5/28 is final track meet. (6 teams). Should East Coast trip be limited to 8th graders? (enables students to save $ and fundraise for 3 years)
  10. Sandra Boe---Special ed teacher requirements will remain in place.
  11. Nelson Cortes—Girls’ soccer team won their game w/Wilson.


Meeting adjourned @ 3:45pm